True North Salmon, a division of Cooke Aquaculture Inc., a dynamic and growing east coast family company, with Platinum Member status in the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program has an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join the Company’s Production Team based out of our Fundy Bay Drive facility located in St. George, NB.
Cooke is a global seafood company with operations in North America, Europe, and South America. Our company’s success is driven by our dynamic, highly-skilled and innovative management team, supported by dedicated employees who live in coastal communities and contribute to the local area’s economy and sense of community.
The Role
The Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for leading the day-to-day maintenance activities within the processing facility to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all production equipment, refrigeration systems, utilities, packaging equipment, and facility infrastructure.
This position plays a critical role in supporting production targets, food safety requirements, and operational performance by minimizing equipment downtime, improving asset reliability, and ensuring all maintenance activities are executed according to company standards and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities combined with a solid technical and engineering background. They will be comfortable utilizing modern maintenance management tools, reliability methodologies, performance metrics, and continuous improvement techniques to drive operational excellence, reduce downtime, and maximize asset performance across the facility.
The Maintenance Supervisor provides leadership to maintenance technicians and contractors while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Maintenance Operations
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Supervise and coordinate all daily maintenance activities across processing, packaging, cold storage, warehouse, and utility areas.
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Ensure rapid response to equipment breakdowns to minimize production interruptions.
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Coordinate corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance activities.
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Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.
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Support production teams by ensuring critical equipment remains operational throughout all shifts.
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Participate in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, refrigeration, and automation-related issues.
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Ensure all maintenance activities are properly documented and completed according to company standards.
Preventive Maintenance & Reliability
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Lead the execution and continuous improvement of the preventive maintenance program.
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Develop and optimize maintenance schedules to maximize equipment uptime and production efficiency.
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Analyze equipment performance data and maintenance trends to identify improvement opportunities.
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Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions to eliminate recurring failures.
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Utilize reliability engineering principles to improve asset performance and equipment lifecycle management.
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Coordinate major equipment overhauls and plant shutdown maintenance activities.
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Ensure maintenance standards align with manufacturer recommendations and operational requirements.
Seafood Processing Equipment Support
Provide maintenance oversight for equipment including:
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Fish receiving and grading systems
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Filleting and trimming equipment
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Portioning and value-added processing lines
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Vacuum packaging systems
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Thermoformers and packaging machinery
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Conveyors and material handling systems
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Ice production systems
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Refrigeration and freezer systems
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Compressors, pumps, and utility equipment
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Wastewater treatment support systems
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Forklifts and material handling equipment
Team Leadership
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Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop maintenance technicians and contractors.
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Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
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Develop daily, weekly, and monthly work schedules.
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Conduct performance evaluations and identify employee development opportunities.
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Promote cross-training and technical skill development.
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Foster strong collaboration between Maintenance, Production, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Warehouse teams.
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Lead by example in safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
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Ensure maintenance activities comply with HACCP, CFIA, GMP, customer requirements, and company food safety standards.
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Ensure repairs and modifications maintain food-grade equipment and facility standards.
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Support internal and external audits.
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Participate in corrective action programs related to quality, food safety, and regulatory findings.
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Maintain accurate maintenance records required for audit compliance.
Health & Safety Leadership
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Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the maintenance department.
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Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations and company policies.
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Enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and safe work practices.
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Conduct safety inspections, hazard assessments, and risk evaluations.
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Participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
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Ensure proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Inventory, Budget & Asset Management
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Monitor maintenance inventory and critical spare parts.
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Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support operational reliability.
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Coordinate purchasing requests and contractor services.
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Assist in developing and managing departmental budgets.
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Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining equipment reliability and safety.
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Support capital planning and equipment replacement strategies.
Continuous Improvement & Project Management
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Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, and cost optimization.
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Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, FMEA, and other improvement methodologies.
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Participate in capital projects, equipment installations, and facility upgrades.
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Develop and monitor maintenance KPIs and action plans.
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Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), downtime reduction, and maintenance performance.
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Support the implementation of new technologies, automation systems, and maintenance best practices.
Qualifications
Education
One of the following is preferred:
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Trade Certification (Industrial Mechanic/Millwright, Industrial Electrician, Refrigeration Technician, or related field).
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Engineering Technology Diploma.
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Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience
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Minimum 5 years of progressive maintenance experience in food processing, seafood processing, manufacturing, or industrial operations.
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Minimum 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
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Experience with refrigeration systems, food processing equipment, and automated production lines.
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Experience managing maintenance teams, budgets, projects, and performance metrics.
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Experience working within HACCP and food safety environments is highly desirable.
Technical Skills
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Mechanical, Electrical, Pneumatic and Hydraulic systems
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Industrial refrigeration systems
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PLC troubleshooting and automation systems
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CMMS administration and reporting
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Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
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Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
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Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
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Preventive and Predictive Maintenance Programs
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Asset Lifecycle Management
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Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
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Capital Project Planning and Execution
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Budget Management and Cost Control
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Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools
Core Competencies
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Leadership and Team Development
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Maintenance and Asset Management
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Reliability Engineering
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Strategic Planning and Execution
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Project Management
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Data Analysis and Performance Management
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Continuous Improvement mindset
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Lean Manufacturing
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Problem Solving and Decision Making
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Communication and Collaboration
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Budget Management and Cost Control
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Safety Leadership
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Accountability and Results Orientation
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Change Management
Working Conditions
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Seafood processing environment with exposure to refrigerated and freezer areas.
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Wet, cold, and fast-paced production environment.
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Occasional after-hours, weekend, and emergency call-in support may be required.
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Standing, walking, climbing ladders, lifting materials, and working around moving equipment are required.
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Required to work near moving mechanical parts and follow strict safety protocols
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Occasional after-hours work, weekends, and emergency call-ins may be required to support production continuity
The Opportunity
The role description is just one part of the story. This is an opportunity to grow, to work within the parameters of the role but to reach your fullest potential. We are a team that is driven to succeed. We count performance, we reward contribution and we recognize talent. It is about being at the center of a global leader in seafood and knowing you are part of that growth. The ability to bring your passion for learning, desire for growth and energy for moving your career forward is what we offer.
The Why
Why Cooke? Simple - because we are a company that rewards initiative, resourcefulness and work ethic. We will champion your growth and provide you with the platform to create your path, your career, and your future.
NOTE: The recruiter is reviewing and interviewing eligible applicants for this position as they are received. If you are interested in this posting, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
We appreciate all resumes; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
